Groundbreaking of 'Munmu Daewang Science Research Institute'... "A Future-Oriented Nuclear Research Hub"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has begun construction of the Munmu Daewang Science Research Institute, which will serve as a cradle for future nuclear technology research.

On the afternoon of the 21st, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute held a groundbreaking ceremony at the research institute site in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, attended by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum. This research institute started as the "(tentative name) Innovative Nuclear Research Complex" during the planning stage but was officially named "Munmu Daewang Science Research Institute" after a local residents' contest in May. The name reflects the spirit of Munmu Daewang, whose underwater tomb is located near the research complex, symbolizing the driving force for nuclear technology development.

At this institute, research, demonstration, and industrialization R&D will be conducted on ▲ nuclear power plant safety innovation technologies incorporating advanced technologies such as D.N.A (Data·Network·AI), ▲ radioactive waste safety management and nuclear power plant decommissioning technologies, and ▲ core technologies of future innovative nuclear systems such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR). A total of 326.3 billion KRW (245.3 billion KRW from the national government and 81 billion KRW from local governments) will be invested over five years until 2025. The total floor area will be 45,508㎡, housing advanced research and administrative facilities, radioactive waste precision analysis facilities, education and cooperation facilities, and a total of 16 research infrastructure, support facilities, and regional linkage facilities.

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to strengthen the functions of the Munmu Daewang Science Research Institute as a core nuclear infrastructure by expanding additional research and demonstration facilities related to nuclear power plant safety, decommissioning, and future innovative nuclear systems. Currently, the Core Technology Development Project for Enhancing the Safety of Operating Nuclear Power Plants, with a total budget of 622.4 billion KRW, passed the government's preliminary feasibility study last month and is scheduled to be submitted to the National Assembly. The budgets for the Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Core Technology Development Project (600 billion KRW) and the Innovative SMR Development Project (500 billion KRW) will each enter the preliminary feasibility study process in September.

In his encouragement speech, Prime Minister Kim said, "Considering Korea's unique situation with a high density of nuclear power plants worldwide, we are pursuing an energy transition policy, and research and development on nuclear power plant safety, decommissioning, and future-oriented nuclear technologies such as SMRs are continuously supported and expanded." He added, "Our world-class nuclear technology is an invaluable asset we cannot give up, and the Munmu Daewang Science Research Institute will play a significant role in advancing nuclear technology."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.